tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post448602712691270482..comments2024-03-27T14:07:52.573+00:00Comments on Who Would Have Believed The Singularity Would Be So Stupid?: Kosovo's Implications for Southern California?Pastoriushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03169561459129778670noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-82880914926951283472008-02-25T23:40:00.000+00:002008-02-25T23:40:00.000+00:00AOW,My response was to the implication that the Fl...AOW,<BR/><BR/>My response was to the implication that the Flemmish, that aspire to an independent Flanders, are as threatening as both Mexicans that aspire to Aztlan, and Albanians that aspire to Kosovo.<BR/><BR/>Mexican nationalism that does recognise and limit itself to mutually (between Mexico and US) agreed upon borders, I do not see as a threat.maccusgermanishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01887574496312472556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-40135219639216843252008-02-24T16:27:00.000+00:002008-02-24T16:27:00.000+00:00Watcher,Let me be clear, I am not advocating an is...Watcher,<BR/>Let me be clear, I am not advocating an isolationist U.S. It's just that the members of NATO have been isolating themselves from us. As I see it, we have had to do most of the heavy lifting ourselves, while others carp at us. <BR/><BR/>Meanwhile, the carping of the international community adds to the strength of the Democrats, and we are now about to elect Obama, a man who will sit down and negotiate with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.<BR/><BR/>Of course, the carpers will never admit that they contributed to that scenario, but they did. Instead, they will blame America.<BR/><BR/>As for your comments about Russia and China; <BR/><BR/>The way I see it, Russia and China are who we are at war with. They are using the Jihad as their army. Sure, the Jihadis think it's all about them, but ultimately it's about us, Russia and China.<BR/><BR/>If we destroy the Jihadis, then that is the equivalent of destroying the ground troops of Russia and China. Then, they will have to use their Air troops (nucelar). At that point, we are back to the Cold War; detente.<BR/><BR/>That's my view of the world. Maybe I'm wrong.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, back to Kosovo. According to the way I see the world conflict, if Russia wants to end Kosovaran sovereignty, then good. That's the equivalent of Russia taking out their own ground troops.<BR/><BR/>See?Pastoriushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169561459129778670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-14720627803165116792008-02-24T15:03:00.000+00:002008-02-24T15:03:00.000+00:00Oh and yes I agree, an independent Kosovo is just ...Oh and yes I agree, an independent Kosovo is just to much of a risk, flash point call it what you will....before we even get into their historical claim (dubious).WATCHER71https://www.blogger.com/profile/05288846801308445615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-53876017907446088382008-02-24T14:59:00.000+00:002008-02-24T14:59:00.000+00:00As an American, I don't much worry about NATO brea...As an American, I don't much worry about NATO breaking down. NATO hasn't served us that well in our current war, has it?<BR/><BR/>I can understand where your coming from, in theory after 911 other Nato members should have rallied around the attacked Nation (US)and any military action would be an act of Nato . Well, Nato was created specifically to hold the Soviets back and for that purpose it is just barely fit for purpose, for waging war on a non state actor it is probably fair to say that it is useless, this sort of operation requires another organization, although a global common security pact would make more sense to me. I think as an American perhaps you should regard Nato in the same way I regard both of our nations Nuclear Arsenals. Not nice. Far from a perfect solution...But necessary. I've said it before and I'll say it again. We have a limited time frame to defeat the Jihadi. Both the Chinese and Russian giants are stirring. the world is not big enough for 3 super powers, each with global reach and a global sphere of influence. <BR/>A unilateralist, isolationist and withdrawn America will ultimetly be (along with the rest of us) a dead America. I just don't think that it is fair that the American tax payer shoulders more than their fair share of the costs... Bro, if you think the Jihadi's have cut us deep, wait and see what the Russians and Chinese are capable of.WATCHER71https://www.blogger.com/profile/05288846801308445615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-65626323280939631802008-02-24T13:28:00.000+00:002008-02-24T13:28:00.000+00:00Watcher,As I said, I am a complete ignoramus in my...Watcher,<BR/>As I said, I am a complete ignoramus in my comment about Russia. The "logic" behind my wishing they would use force is simply that I don't think Kosovo should be an independent state. And, anything which will put an end to that charade seems like a good thing from my ignoramus vantage point.<BR/><BR/>As an American, I don't much worry about NATO breaking down. NATO hasn't served us that well in our current war, has it?<BR/><BR/>Anyway, on the subject of the crop, I'm glad he chimed in. Sounds to me like it's another thing to not get too excited about.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately, I think bioengineering (creating fuels from the ground up) is going to be the solution. Go Craig Venter.Pastoriushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169561459129778670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-57270596285141197272008-02-24T12:57:00.000+00:002008-02-24T12:57:00.000+00:00Pastorius,ps. Why do you hope the Russians use for...Pastorius,<BR/>ps. Why do you hope the Russians use force? Where are you coming from with this?WATCHER71https://www.blogger.com/profile/05288846801308445615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-60398157388513601202008-02-24T12:24:00.000+00:002008-02-24T12:24:00.000+00:00Pastorius, Always on Watch,I'm reading this debate...Pastorius, Always on Watch,<BR/>I'm reading this debate RE SoCal with interest. I am aware of some of the historic context here and was aware that social problems were brewing...<BR/><BR/>Re that other thing, Pater got back to me with apologies for taking so long, AGM season! Yes the soil improvement does take place but any thing that grows ultimately puts bio mass back into the soil...thus improving it, growing in marginal soils however is very useful. Yields on the crop also tend to be inconsistent due to a wide gene base to the species, thus necessitating selective breeding (narrowing the gene base) for higher yields. If the gene base becomes to narrow, the species is threatened by a specialized predator (Insects, crop disease etc). He says it's been around for a while, needs more research and investment. To me, the fact that he didn't entirely dismiss it is suggestive that he thinks it may have possibilities.WATCHER71https://www.blogger.com/profile/05288846801308445615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-29032895288457052752008-02-24T12:09:00.000+00:002008-02-24T12:09:00.000+00:00Anon,Yes good analysis of the Geo political/strate...Anon,<BR/>Yes good analysis of the Geo political/strategic dimension to all this. It's not pretty. I'm particularly worried that a conflict in Kosovo could ultimetly put pressure on a strained alliance. Nato members on opposite sides of the conflict....by popular demand of their respective populations. Putin has been looking for an excuse to have a foreign adventure, against the West,using conventional assets, for a while. If Nato dissolves....then what in Europe? Can the EU army become an effective, cohesive, defensive force in a short time. Whilst fighting an enemy that has potential for overwhelming conventional dominance? The Russians were kept to the East ONLY because of Mutually Assured Destruction. If we manage to have a PROXY war against Russia, in Kosovo with a fragmented and diminished NATO/EU Army, that somehow manages to NOT escalate to the use of Strategic or even Theater (Nuclear weapons), a very dangerous precedent will have been set and we can forget the concept of a 'contained' Russia.WATCHER71https://www.blogger.com/profile/05288846801308445615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-83999597711564494772008-02-24T02:37:00.000+00:002008-02-24T02:37:00.000+00:00Mecha and the Aztlan movement are very offensive. ...Mecha and the Aztlan movement are very offensive. However, I work with and know a lot of Hispanic people and they are rather quick at integrating. It takes a generation or two.<BR/><BR/>The thing about self-segregating is an appearence thing. First, when they move here, they live in neighborhoods where everyone speaks Spanish. Then, when they integrate, they are just find. However, Hispanics don't have the same emphasis on education in their culture, so they do tend to become blue collar workers. This looks like a form of self-segregation, but it is not.<BR/><BR/>These are my opinions, of course, and they could be wrong. I don't like illegal immigration. I am for the fence. I am for deporting any illegal involved in a crime. I'm hardcore in that way. However, I get along with Hispanics well, and I don't think they ought to be our worry.Pastoriushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169561459129778670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-2150436708281815242008-02-24T00:57:00.000+00:002008-02-24T00:57:00.000+00:00"Never underestimate Russia"VLADIMIR PUTIN -DEFEND..."Never underestimate Russia"<BR/><BR/>VLADIMIR PUTIN -DEFENDER OF CHRISTENDOM? <BR/><BR/>Though his father was a "militant atheist", Putin's mother "was a devoted Orthodox believer". Though she kept no icons at home, she attended church regularly (despite the government's persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church at that time). She ensured that Putin was secretly christened as a baby, and she regularly took him to services. His father knew of this but turned a blind eye. According to his own statements, his religious awakening followed the serious car crash of his wife in 1993, and was deepened by a life-threatening fire that burned down their dacha in August 1996. Right before an official visit to Israel his mother gave him his baptismal cross telling him to get it blessed “I did as she said and then put the cross around my neck. I have never taken it off since"<BR/><BR/>From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_PutinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-28275342186539872242008-02-24T00:49:00.001+00:002008-02-24T00:49:00.001+00:00Pastorius,Never underestimate Russia.Pastorius,<BR/>Never underestimate Russia.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-45606594645283479412008-02-24T00:49:00.000+00:002008-02-24T00:49:00.000+00:00Michael,I am a Spanish major (1972).My choice of m...Michael,<BR/>I am a Spanish major (1972).<BR/><BR/>My choice of major made me the laughing stock of most in Northern Virginia.<BR/><BR/>They're not laughing any more.<BR/><BR/>I use my Spanish almost every time I'm in a fender bender or am a witness to a car accident. Such a possibility was out of the question in 1972. We didn't even have Taco Bell here back then. ;^)Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-51499586946817583232008-02-24T00:46:00.000+00:002008-02-24T00:46:00.000+00:00Epa,If I were Navajo or Apache I'd be pretty proud...Epa,<BR/><I>If I were Navajo or Apache I'd be pretty proud too.</I><BR/><BR/>That's not exactly what I was getting at, though.<BR/><BR/>In Latin America, race isn't viewed the same was as has been traditionally the case in the United States and, to a greater extent, in Europe.<BR/><BR/>Mestizo, mulatto, indio--all are common terms without nearly the pejorative aspect associated with many Western cultures. Oh, sure, there was a time when those of "pure Spanish blood" had the upper hand. But for the majority of Latin American nations (exception = Argentina, if I recall correctly), it is almost assumed that the populace will have Native American blood in their veins. The racial pride to which I was referring is almost a pride in being of mixed race. Separatist groups such as Aztlan are exploiting that, IMO.<BR/><BR/>I agree with you that armed force determines a great deal with regard to which "culture" will dominate--at least, so it's been in the history of the world.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-54101641548184654542008-02-24T00:38:00.000+00:002008-02-24T00:38:00.000+00:00Maccus Germanis,Is Mexican nationalism that does n...Maccus Germanis,<BR/><I>Is Mexican nationalism that does not include claims of Aztlan a threat to the US?</I><BR/><BR/>That depends on a lot of factors.<BR/><BR/>If the nationalism means not assimilating and conforming to American values (including not following the rule of civil law), then I would see it as a threat.<BR/><BR/>Are supporters of Aztlan mostly legals or illegals? Just asking.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-20727178944879718702008-02-24T00:34:00.000+00:002008-02-24T00:34:00.000+00:00Much of the day, I've been thinking about what Ray...Much of the day, I've been thinking about what Ray said: <I>The principle is the same.</I><BR/><BR/>Is the prinicple the same, or the same enough, to be concerned about for the American Southwest?<BR/><BR/>Jason said, <I> Once a land becomes populated with an alien culture, it seeks its own government.</I><BR/><BR/>An "alien culture" can be absorbed, if the "non-alien culture" is dominant and stands its ground. Sometimes. Later generations show if the assimilation really happened, be that assimilation an absorption or dominance by the "non-alien" culture.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-58383600530655913562008-02-24T00:28:00.000+00:002008-02-24T00:28:00.000+00:00I'm not sure of the name of the SoCal town (Mayfie...I'm not sure of the name of the SoCal town (Mayfield?), but a while back I read that the Americans there up and left, and gave the town over to the hordes of illegals who had moved in.<BR/><BR/>Does anyone else here know of that?Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-88644088935483262342008-02-24T00:27:00.000+00:002008-02-24T00:27:00.000+00:00Pastorius,My experience with Hispanics (and I live...Pastorius,<BR/><I>My experience with Hispanics (and I live in SoCal) is that they are no less likely to integrate, inter-marry, and inter-mingle, than any other race.</I><BR/><BR/>Of course, I don't live in SoCal, but I have visited there on numerous occasions. You would know better than I, but I have noticed that many areas of Latinos seems self-segregated. While I, an Anglo, was welcome to visit, I still think that I was viewed as an outsider.<BR/><BR/>Have you ever read <I>Mexifornia</I> by Victor Davis Hansen? I don't recall the book's containing much about "official" separatism, but I did notice material about a cultural and economic divide, even prior to the arrival to California of so many Latinos.Always On Watchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192688822955022541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-12968014467667378972008-02-23T23:45:00.000+00:002008-02-23T23:45:00.000+00:00Official Russian military involvement runs the ris...Official Russian military involvement runs the risk of triggering a larger conflict with NATO. The Russians can, of course, provide military assistance through unofficial channels. The NATO countries themselves are divided over the issue. Greece, a NATO country, is definitely siding with Serbia. If war breaks out, I'm sure there will be Greek volunteers quietly slipping into Kosovo to aid the Serbs. Canada has been wisely keeping mum so far after realizing it was played by the Albanians back in 1999. It's also worried about setting a precedent that will be exploited by Quebec's separatists. If NATO goes to war over Kosovo, Canada will have two unappealing choices: do the expedient thing to appease the U.S. by backing a bunch of lying narco-terrorists or back out of a war without any benefit to Canada, possibly breaking NATO in the process.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-36329397901972874922008-02-23T21:03:00.000+00:002008-02-23T21:03:00.000+00:00I say this as a complete ignoramus on the subject:...I say this as a complete ignoramus on the subject:<BR/><BR/>I hope Russia does use force over Kosovo.Pastoriushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169561459129778670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-72588636412870657252008-02-23T20:41:00.000+00:002008-02-23T20:41:00.000+00:00The Bear is waking up... http://www.bnp.org.uk/200...The Bear is waking up... <BR/><BR/>http://www.bnp.org.uk/2008/02/23/russia-could-use-force-over-kosovoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-67257809950709220972008-02-23T20:34:00.000+00:002008-02-23T20:34:00.000+00:00Correction;"If it were to be an Islamic Republic"S...Correction;<BR/><BR/>"If it were to be an Islamic Republic"<BR/><BR/>SorryMichael Travishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227697529452874602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-90157115677916742012008-02-23T20:33:00.000+00:002008-02-23T20:33:00.000+00:00Absolutely correct Pastorius....I wasn't joking wh...Absolutely correct Pastorius....I wasn't joking when I noted that things would remain the same after secession......... it would be an Islamic Republic.....both of our heads would be lifted permanently from our shoulders.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I much prefer Raquel Tejada (Welch), Flaco Jimanez and Hope Sandoval to Yasir, Osama and Fatima!Michael Travishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227697529452874602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-19235972399187241272008-02-23T20:30:00.000+00:002008-02-23T20:30:00.000+00:00Hmmm the Balkans again....when will we learn...? M...Hmmm the Balkans again....when will we learn...? My fear is the eventual ascension of Kosovo into the EU...thus extending the 'attack on one is an attack on all' philosophy to a major flash point between Russia (or her allies....and yes I include Serbia) and the EU/NATO. The Serbians have ruled out military action...for now. But eventually the will go for it...and if they don't? The plethora of Serbian Militia's will. I used to think the Serbians were the bad guys.....and then the Albanians invaded where I live...and can I just say what a 'charming' bunch of people they are! Open,warm,friendly,sociable,clean and absolutely fine, impeccable, high moral values.....especially when trying to get into 13 year old girls underwear...maybe it's the school uniform..? <BR/>Ya know it's amazing, the older you get, the more of a Realist you become...I think an independent Kosovo is going to end badly. And Ray is quite right about the media putting a BS gloss on this....although the more honest reportage is one of dread...WATCHER71https://www.blogger.com/profile/05288846801308445615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-21324662226116420022008-02-23T19:51:00.001+00:002008-02-23T19:51:00.001+00:00Michael,The average Hispanic is not a racist, or s...Michael,<BR/>The average Hispanic is not a racist, or separatist. It is true that Mecha, etc. have made political inroads, but the average person does not agree with their racist agenda. <BR/><BR/>I don't think the same can be said of our Islamic enemies.Pastoriushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169561459129778670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19209018.post-91866373579027100112008-02-23T19:51:00.000+00:002008-02-23T19:51:00.000+00:00http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/7446/immigmar26bw...http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/7446/<BR/>immigmar26bwebjpg6vk.jpg<BR/><BR/>Life in California will remain pretty much the same after the secession so there isn't much to worry about.Michael Travishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227697529452874602noreply@blogger.com